Rangers' record since last Wednesday, Nov 25 is 1-4-1; upcoming sked: Sun Ottawa Wed Vancouver Fri Edmonton Sat Calgary Tue Edmonton Thu Minnesota Fri Winnipeg Sun Washington The way the team is presently playing, team will be scrounging for points the next two weeks. Two more back to backs, both on the road.
Well, you could make the case that the offense has sucked since Stepan has been out despite him sucking most all season. Or you could point out that as soon as Glass got back in the lineup, the offense sucks. This is the first time I've said this. I would at least see what return Kreider would bring and shop him. If Duchene was being shopped, then freakin Kreider who is dumb and doesn't do anything over half the time certainly can be.
So what I said 10 days ago dump...I agree on Kreider.... 1 goal against Ottawa, 1 goal against TB, 1 goal against Montreal. Those happened pre-Stepan injury. Since Stepan went out 3 of 4 games they have scored 0 or 1 goal, and the game they scored more was against the Canes, so I'm not sure that should count. The Rangers need to do something upfront. If Etem, Miller, Kreider, and to a lesser extent Hayes are going to struggle/do nothing in the case of the first 3, we are going to have big issues scoring.
Etem 0 goals as a Ranger. Miller 4 points in his first 3 games. 8 points in his last 24 games. Kreider has 4 goals and 11 points this season...wow. With that kind of "production" from those 3 we have no shot to be good enough on O.
When key players are not scoring with any consistency, burden falls on the goalies.............and there is just so much they can do. The Nashes, Kreiders, Brassards, Hayeses, Millers, Fasts have to start getting goals. And how about some contributions from a tame defense. Even Zucc has cooled during this down period. Etem is one big bust. If this organization had capable players from their putrid farm team to fill the void, I am sure Etem would have been sent down long ago. Lindberg is the one player who exhibits speed with toughness. The others mentioned above would rather duke and prance instead pushing toward the goal...... and shooting. Until this team works out their Offense, burden will be on the goalies.
Because of some of his playoff goals, his size and mind boggling speed, it would be very hard for the fan base to see Kreider go. I just don't know what they would want. You most likely would be getting heavy into other teams farms for NHL ready prospects and draft picks. It's pretty sad for Kreider when Lindberg has f'n embarrassed Kreider when he doesn't have near his talent.
As usual for this team it will come down to O. We need a gritty proven playoff guy with some size. A Ladd type would be a perfect fit, but again not sure how we get a guy like that. To me if you deal Kreider you do it for a proven playoff guy that will help the team over the next year or two. BUT with all that said I just don't see him being moved. We are going to sink or swim with CK coming around. I think the guy who could get dealt is Miller. I can 100% see that. He has potential, and to a team that is looking to sell off he would be a good get. I can see him going for a proven playoff guy if he doesn't step up.
Everybody chill. Yeah the offense has slowed down but we're still 4th IN THE LEAGUE IN GOALS SCORED. Stepan will be back in a month or so and just have to survive till then. We're not getting blown out. Part of the problem is AV's lines, his defensive combos and how many friggin minutes he's playing boyle. Yandle has looked much better lately and a big part of that is playing with dylan who allows him to play to his strength which is skating and offense and he's actually shooting the puck now. Problem lately is boyle gets on the PP and forgets to come off the friggin ice. Kreids exasperates me as much as the rest of you guys but there is no way we are trading this kid and the potential and skillsets he has. If he's not already he should be practicing breakaways on hank every day as he probably leads the league in them but needs to come up with a way to start finishing them. Imo if the rangers decide to make a major move it will be nash and that obscene contract of his that goes. After a 6 game spurt he's back to doing nothing again and he would bring some decent assets back. AV is getting more confident with dylan as he got 18 minutes yesterday but will be interesting to see if he has the balls to stick dylan and his howitzer of a shot from the point on the power play. Dylan should also be on every PK the rangers have from now on as he is our only d-man that can separate someone from the puck and keep the crease clear of traffic in front. Glass really needs to be gone by the next game and give another young player a chance to show what he has.
Chris Kreider, 24 years old, the biggest forward and fastest skater on this team who will be restricted and under team control at the end of the year, is not getting traded. 24 years old. Stop the madness.
I agree...I think Miller could be the guy who goes though unless he gets it going. He has value, and I could see us moving him for an upgrade now. And that means nothing to me mel. We were a top 5 team in goals per game last season as well...and we know how that worked out in the playoffs. This team will goes as far as the O will take us. As usual that is the concern IMO. I always felt the talk about the D was nonsense, and I stand by that. Mel loves him some Kreider and McIlrath.... And I mean that in a good way...I think those are your two favorite Rangers.
The only madness is when people think a 24 year old player that doesn't do jack shit in over half his games won't get traded. That's stupid. Kreider has been a horrible underachiever almost his entire NHL career. Fact. It's time our fans stop defending this tool.
Miller brings more to the table than Kreider with his skill level, grit and ability to see the ice. I would move Kreider in the right deal (doubt Sather...ugh hum I mean Gorton will get anything done) They are both young and have been inconsistent without a doubt. Kreider's only asset is his size and power which he never uses...he hardly forechecks with grit, drifts on the perimeter and has zero hands. He has always played with the most talented fowards while Miller has been mixed in wherever. Miller has shown glimpses but I understand that he has to prove himself consistently to play with top guys but what has Kreider done to continue to get those minutes ? I like Miller's future much more than Kreider's mostly because I think Kreider has proven to be a box of rocks. The guy is dumb as dirt.
The team as a whole needs to take the shot when it's open, way too many opportunities have been wasted on overpassing, the Rangers need to stop trying to be the Harlem Globetrotters of hockey. Nash 5G/6A - Miller 3G/6A, I agree with trading Nash, too much money, he'll be lucky to score 50 points and he has been an awful postseason player. Miller is young and cheap, same with CK for now. I wouldn't trade either of them. The logical move is Yandle, 0G/5A and the Rangers aren't going to have the money to resign him. Defensively, the Rangers are giving up 29.9 shots per game (24th in the NHL) and currently have allowed more shots than any team in the NHL. Granted they've played a few more games than some of the teams behind them on the list but GAA is low because Hank and Raanta have stood on their heads. The defensive unit (aside from McIlrath) shuns contact or standing their ground when an opponent enters the zone with the puck instead opting for the gentle one handed poke check followed by the curling stone release and glide on one knee toward the safety of the side boards. Speaking of McIlrath, I'm glad he's getting playtime. He's clearly NHL ready - loved him rag dolling Martin into the boards and then facing him down while being smart enough to avoid the penalty box. I don't see many NHL players worrying about fighting Dylan, fighting is all but gone from the NHL anyway and most teams only have a few players willing to drop the gloves but they will be skating with their heads on a swivel when he's on the ice.
Yandle would be the most logical to deal. He obviously hasn't brought what they thought he would to the team. They can start there first. I really think it is crucial that the Rangers get back a solid 40-50 point center who is good on draws so Stepan can be moved to wing permanently. He sucks on faceoffs and doesn't care about getting better. Time for him to get the boot from that position. Hayes sucks on draws worth. Neither IMO should be a center any longer. I'll tell you. If they could trade Yandle, Hayes along with Glass and Stalberg for J. Staal and a second, I'd do it. Staal needs a change. He's awesome on draws. Is a great PK guy. He's got great size. He's much better offensively than he has shown. The money is close. It would give the Rangers a little more cap room to make a deal at the deadline. I'm sure the Canes would love to dump his contract. Let's face it. Yandle will cost 5 million to sign next year. Hayes at least 3 million. You lose Glass and his 1.5. Canes have to take his contract. They can't expect to dump Staal's 6 million without eating something. Rangers best young talents in the farm are at wing. Not at center. It makes a lot of sense. Not that I don't like Hayes but this deal works on a lot of levels for the Rangers. They can move Stepan to wing. Thank God. Get back an important pick. Clears up the roster for Skjei to get called up and the Rangers to go after another forward who might add something to the team. To me this deal is very realistic. It looks pretty obvious Eric Staal is not returning to the Canes. You can damn well bet his brother won't want to stay there. Hayes would be a nice piece for them.
E. Staal will get dealt this year I think. He would be another good fit here, but again not sure if we can get him. I don't see us dealing Yandle if we are in it. I won't say no shot, because unless somehow we can move Staal I don't see how we can resign Yandle, but I think Gorton/AV like the D and know it will improve as the season progresses, as it always does, and we are starting to see them improve already...especially Yandle. To me Kreider, Miller, Etem are the guys really hurting us right now. As it stands today there is plenty of time, so all will be given more rope before we do anything, but these are the guys that need to do MUCH more than they have if we want to have enough O and depth of threats upfront. If we're sitting here 6-8 weeks from now and Miller is still struggling it really wouldn't shock me if he gets dealt. We'll see. As mentioned there is plenty of time left. We are all a bit antsy, and understandable so as this team doesn't look like a SC team to me upfront, but we have plenty of time left to really find out.
I absolutely see Yandle getting dealt since they have a piece in the minors that costs nothing that can take his spot in Skjei. Sounds like he's playing well down there. Plus, Graves looks like he will eventually be a solid left handed defenseman with size for us a couple years down the line. Rangers need to stock pile the defense in the farm again. After those, it's very thin.
If the Rangers are playing well and looking good as the trade DL nears I just don't see them dealing Yandle. They made their peace already with him being a UFA this summer, this isn't a Cally or Zucc or Staal scenario. Now if Yandle or the team is struggling, then yeah I could see Yandle being dealt for sure and recouping some assets. I think it all depends on where the Rangers are at. If they are rolling and look like a legit SC threat as we all expect them to be, I don't see them dealing Yandle at all. The only caveat I will throw in there is if they can flip Yandle for a good playoff player upfront for a run now that could be explored because of the kids you mentioned, but I don't see it because a team dealing for Yandle would be looking to win now, so why would they deal a piece upfront they would need to win. Doesn't add up.
Nash is making $7.9 this year, then $8, $8.2 while Miller makes $875K. I would take any offer for Nash. This is JT's first season playing full time and he's only 22, I can't see him costing that much to resign next year. CK's play has been frustrating but he's only 24, I think the question is what does he command for a salary next year. Boyle's salary off the books next year gives the Rangers the money to resign both.
Trading Yandle adds up perfectly. They are only paying half his salary so teams trading for him won't have a problem fitting him under the cap. There is no freaking way with their current farm they can lose him for nothing. They have to deal him. They have to either get back into the first round for the draft or acquire a can't miss, young prospect, close to NHL ready. They can always deal for a left handed vet defenseman to back up Skjei. They are a dime a dozen. Personally, I would look at the J. Staal deal I proposed involving Hayes so Stepan never plays center again. His faceoffs are a terrible negative on the team.
